Portraits in Plaster, from the Collection of Laurence Hutton

The author presents a curated collection of plaster life‑ and death‑masks of famous cultural, political, and scientific figures, describing how a chance find prompted decades of acquisition and verification. Entries combine physical description of each cast, notes on provenance and identification, and brief biographical or critical commentary, while the introduction explains molding techniques, restoration and customs challenges, and the philosophical claim that casts preserve unembellished facial truth. The volume is illustrated and arranged as a catalog of portraits that invites reflection on portraiture, authenticity, and the relationship between physiognomy and character.